Architects Draw Out Kids' Ideas

Middle-school Pupils Sound Off On Renovation

LAKE FOREST — Usually, elementary school children are told what to do and think.

But last weekend, pupils at Lake Forest District 67's middle school were asked during a workshop for their opinions.

Should student artwork and projects be displayed in their new school, they were asked.

"Yes, in display cases and hallways," wrote one pupil on a poster-size questionnaire.

"No," another pupil answered in bold print, writing that only "professional artwork should be displayed."

Another questionnaire asked, "What colors would you like to see in your classroom?"

"Anything but yellow" was one answer, penciled between stuck-on paint chips that ranged from pastels to primaries.

About 20 6th through 8th graders met Saturday at Deer Path Middle School with the architects who are designing a 30,000-square-foot addition to the school on Deerpath. The workshop, sponsored by the Brainstormers after-school enrichment program, was the first of its kind for the district.

A similar event will be held Saturday for younger pupils, officials said.

The renovation work on the existing building is expected to be completed by the time school opens in fall.

A multipurpose room and gym, more classrooms and a media center are part of the $17.8 million project, which is adding 86,000 square feet of space to District 67's four buildings.

The district is also reconfiguring grades at each school as part of its plan to deal with enrollment growth.

Architects from Perkins & Will of Chicago presented drawings, models and site plans of Deer Path school to the budding architects.

They helped the pupils draw floor plans and choose color combinations from paint chips. They also took them on a tour of the addition under construction.

They asked pupils what they like and don't like about their school and what they would change.

"This is your chance to tell (school officials) what you think," said Peggy Hoffmann, an architect and senior interior designer with the firm.

Among the suggestions were a brighter cafeteria and comfortable auditorium chairs.

Hoffmann said that although most of the structural design is finished, the interior's look is yet to be determined.

She said pupils' ideas will be taken seriously and may even be used on future projects.

"It's important that we consider some of their vision, as opposed to considering only an adult vision," Hoffmann said.

One of the pupils at the workshop, Alex Hoffmann, 13, an 8th grader from Lake Forest, said, "Architecture has always seemed like kind of a cool thing, and I thought it would be fun to design your own school."

She would like to see wider hallways and brighter colors, "just making it a little more fun to be here."